25th Annual Pontiac,GMC, & Oakland Show

Unlike the past few years when Mother Nature wasn't completely accommodating, moderate temperatures and abundant sunshine was the order for the weekend as hundreds of participants and spectators gathered to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the Annual Pontiac, GMC, & Oakland Show held near the Omaha, Nebraska, metro area. The event also incorporated the 2nd Annual Pontiac Challenge drag race. Co-hosted by the local area Pontiac Owners Association and Nebraskaland chapter of the P.O.C.I., the two-day event was held on August 25 and 26, 2007, and HPP was on-hand to partake in the festivities.

A total of 75 racers assembled early Saturday morning at the Rolling Thunder Drag Strip at the Mid America Motorplex, located in Pacific Junction, Iowa, to participate in the Pontiac Challenge and compete for nearly $5, 000 in cash prizes, and countless gift certificates and trophies. After time trials and the driver's meeting, came eliminations. Competition proved fierce as ever, and several racers commented how well the track surface was prepared and maintained by Track Manager Jim Howe.

In addition to hot drag-racing activity at Rolling Thunder on Saturday, a swap meet was held and Jim Wangers was present, greeting enthusiasts. Along with Wangers came Dave Anderson, Ed Dufrene, and Robert Johnson. The group competed with Wangers' GeeTO Tiger and "Ponte" Carlo in the drag event. As a bonus, anyone with a Pontiac was invited onto the complex's 2.2-mile road course for a few exhibition laps; several owners jumped at the chance.

2/14The '61 Ventura owned by Steve Cayce of Gower, Missouri, was chosen for a Best of Show award.

The 25th Annual Pontiac, GMC & Oakland show was held at the Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall just outside Omaha in Gretna, Nebraska, on Sunday. A total of 217 vehicles were entered, and participants came from eight different states, bringing with them some of the most beautiful Pontiacs produced. The swap meet was relocated to the show site on Sunday, and there were deals everywhere thanks to the large number of vendors on-hand.

This year's event seemed to offer a venue for every hobbyist, and if the upcoming event proves anything like those in the past, you'll certainly want to consider marking August 23-24, 2008, on your calendar to attend the 3rd Annual Pontiac Challenge Drag Race and 26th Annual Pontiac, GMC, & Oakland Show. It's sure to be a fun-filled weekend that Pontiac hobbyists of all ages can enjoy. Further details are available at www.geocities.com/poadrag/ or by contacting Joe Dyrda at (402)-679-1781.

3/14Jeff Schneider, of Alliance, Nebraska, took Best in Class with his Super-Duty 455-powered '74 Trans Am.

C - Pontiac and Safari ('55-'60) 59 Catalina • Gary Minnick

CC - GMC ('88-Present) '05 Sierra • Larry Hurley

D - Pontiac Fullsize ('61-'64)'61 Ventura • Steve Cayce

E - Pontiac Fullsize ('65-'76)'67 Ventura • Dean Eitmann

EE - GMC (Limited Change)'00 Sierra • Randy Johnson

F - Pontiac Fullsize ('77-Present) '04 Bonneville • Fred Mittan

FF - GMC (Modified)'48 Pickup • Dale Salkeld

G - Solstice '06 Solstice • Lyle Stewart

4/14Track manager Jim Howe opened up the 2.2-mile road course at Mid America Motorplex to participants and spectators of the drag event for a few exhibition laps.

H - 2+2 (Includes '86)'64 Catalina 2+2 • Renae Church

I-2 - Grand Prix ('69-'77)'70 Grand Prix • Dave Brown

I-3 - Grand Prix ('78-'87)'84 Grand Prix • Zach Phelps

I-4 - Grand Prix ('88-'96) 96 Grand Prix • Al Currie

I-5 - Grand Prix ('97-Present)'07 Grand Prix • Ronald Wilson

J - FWD'07 G5 • Rachel Dyrda

K-1 - Fiero 84 Fiero • Peg Burrow

K-2 - Fiero GT'87 Fiero • Larry Davis

K-3 - Fiero (Modified) '87 Fiero • Dick Edzards

5/14Fourth-Gens decorated the show field as well.

L-1 - GTO ('64-'65) '65 GTO • Daren Schrat

L-2 - GTO ('66-'67) '66 GTO • Carroll Bishop

L-3 - GTO ('68-'69) '68 GTO • Hillis Mathes

L-4 - GTO ('70-'74) '70 GTO • Roger Bendet

L-5 - GTO ('04-Present) '05 GTO • David Kloerkner

M - GTO Judge '70 GTO Judge • Randy Stewart

N-1 - Tempest, LeMans ('61-'65) '64 LeMans • Jerry Ewing

9/14Mike Chamberlin was one of a few participants awarded with the opportunity to "race the Tiger." Here, Dave Anderson pilots the GeeTO Tiger against Chamberlin's Grand Prix, and though the race was close, Chamberlin took the win.

N-2 - Tempest, LeMans ('66-'67) '67 LeMans • Dale Malcom

O - Tempest, LeMans ('68-'72)'70 GT-37 • Steve Bothwell

P - A-Body ('73-'87) '73 Grand Am • Alan Seaton

Q - Firebird, Trans Am ('67-'69)'68 Firebird • Matt French

R-1 - Trans Am ('70-'76) '74 Trans Am • Jeff Schneider

R-2 - Trans Am ('77-'81)'77 Trans Am • Kevin Uhler

R-3 - Trans Am ('82-'92)'88 Trans Am • Bob Chalek

10/14Jim Wangers was present both days and could be found visiting with enthusiasts and signing autographs. He and Art Fitzpatrick also spoke before a large group about their latest combined effort-the new book they co-authored entitled Pontiac Pizzazz.